Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON) on Tuesday, Nov. 21, said the second day of transport strike will push through following claims that the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) failed to address drivers and operators’ demands.
PISTON maintained its demand to scrap the December 31 deadline for franchise consolidation and repeal the public utility vehicle modernization program (PUVMP) entirety.
"Sasalubungin natin ang pagbabalik ni Marcos Jr ng pagpapatuloy ng ating malawakang welga dahil wala pang nagiging matinong sagot sa atin ang gobyerno," PISTON National President Mody Floranda said in a statement.
The transport group’s second day of strike coincides with President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr.’s return to the Philippines after his trip to the United States for the 2023 APEC Summit.
PISTON also called out the Department of Transportation’s (DOTr) statement, stating that the only “misconception” on the PUVMP is its claim to improve the state of public transport.
"Kahit pinalitan mo yung sasakyan pero pinatay mo naman ang kabuhayan ng mga Pilipino, nasaan ang pag-unlad doon?" Floranda said.
In an earlier statement, DOTr said the “misconceptions” regarding jeepney phaseout and being forced to shoulder the P2 million modern jeepneys after the consolidation deadline fueled protests from transport groups.
"Halatang hindi nakikinig itong DOTr at ipinagmamalaki pang December 31 ay deadline lang sa consolidation at hindi phaseout. Eh yung mismong consolidation nga ang matagal na nating tinututulan. Dahil kahit paano pa nila pagbali-baliktarin, ang franchise consolidation ay pang-agaw sa mga indibidwal na prangkisa na katumbas na ay phaseout,” the PISTON president said.
“Hindi lang phaseout ng sasakyan ang tinutukoy natin dito, kundi phaseout ng kabuhayan,” he added.
PISTON urged every driver, operator, and commuter to join the strike. The transport group claimed that its nationwide strike caused 90 percent paralysis on every major route in Metro Manila alone on their first day.
